Reply To: What is the current state of the project?

[tcg]

I would like to wish the Iranians success in their work with focus fusion — they will be another contestant in the race and should surely liven things up. But I don’t hope they are first over the line. I recognize the “sputnik” effect may operate here, but there is another effect to consider.

Despite the fact that many Persian people live harmoniously in this country, we are not exactly on good terms with the Iranian government . Their possible successes with the DPF may result in a backwash condemnatory effect which we may regret. Remember how the Nazi’s condemnation of “Jewish (nuclear) physics” undermined their own efforts to make progress in this area. Xenophobes and coal industry lobbyists may be quick to brand the plasma focus as “Iranian physics” and set back progress in this country by several years.

However, what benefit for DPF research (the American variety) can we find here? I see the Iranian presence in this area potentially good for fundraising. Just whisper, “You don’t want THEM to beat us, do you?” into a few Sentators’ ears and see what happens.